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January 14, 2010 Regular Monthly Board Meeting
JANUARY 14, 2010 REGULAR TOWN OF RICHMOND MEETING MINUTES
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Todd Rehnelt, at 6 p.m. as
noticed. Present were Supervisors Volkert, Berquist, Knutson, and
Naser, Clerk Preece, Treasurer Kelly and Planning Commission Chair Tom
Derrick.
Other attendees signed in were: Ron Peterson, Russ Utecht, Jim
Nelson, Warren Bader, Neil Bakke, Brent Schulz, Regan Krieger
Noting that the agenda was posted with the 3 additions to it, the
agenda was approved on a motion by Volkert and second by Naser.
Correcting a typing error, the minutes of December 10, 2009 were
approved on a motion by Knutson and second by Berquist. The
treasurer’s report was read and after answering a question by Knutson
on First Dollar Credit, the report was approved on a motion by Naser
and second by Volkert.
PUBLIC INPUT
Randy Berenschott commented on the effectiveness of the road
improvement map, paid his taxes, and requested transaction statements
from both banks through February
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Special Exception Application--Ron Peterson presented the
application for the proposed hot mix asphalt plant for Utecht/Amon,
owner and contractor. Mr. Peterson assured the board that there would
be no more than one travel trailer/motorhome on the property during
this project, and any dust problems would be controlled. Knutson
motioned to approve this request, conditional upon compliance with
having only 1 travel trailer on the premises during this project, dust
control measures would be in effect and there would be no truck
traffic on 120th St. Berquist seconded the motion and it carried
unanimously. The clerk will email the board’s decision to St. Croix
County Zoning.
2. Census—Regan Krieger, representing the Census 2010, encouraged
people to consider being a census worker and gave the steps that one
would have to go through. She left us with brochures to distribute.
3. Audit Date—Gary Knutson wondered if we shouldn’t have a
professional, external audit; maybe not every year, but perhaps every
3 years or so. In the past the audit has been done every year in
January by members of the town board. Other than cost, it was
questioned if there was any other reason why we would not have an
external audit done. Attorney Scott thinks it is a good idea, as does
Todd. After some discussion, Todd moved to schedule the internal
audit on January 10, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the treasurer’s office at 1156
Co. Rd. G, and looking further into having an external audit done
later in the year. Volkert seconded this motion and it carried.
Naser and Volkert were named to be on this committee, and the meeting
will be posted.
4. Prioritize Ordinances—Mobil home ordinance needs to be
redone/updated and it needs to be in compliance. A discussion was
held on having a ‘book of ordinances’, which Tim Scott recommends we
have. We did start on this a while ago, but abandoned it. The
planning commission is presently working on road and driveway
ordinances, and will be on the February agenda, along with the
rescinding of the snowmobile ordinanc and the proposed obscenity
ordinance. Mr. Scott posed the question of ‘Who will enforce these
ordinances’? Perhaps a first step is to check with St. Croix County.
5. District Meeting—This meeting will be held on March 26 in Eau
Claire from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and this is the year they have Board of
Review training. Todd moved to approve up to 5 board members to go to
this meeting, seconded by Volkert. Motion carried. People
interested in going need to contact the clerk so reservations can be
made.
6. Planning Commission Member—Chairman Rehnelt appointed Arnold Tjelta
to the commission for a term from 2010 through April 2013. Mr. Tjelta
will replace Ernie Shores, who has resigned. Volkert moved to approve
this appointment, seconded by Berquist. Motion carried.
7. Election Resolution—Naser moved and Knutson seconded the approval
of the resolution giving the town clerk authority to have a minimum of
3 poll workers/election officials at any election where less than 7
workers are needed. Voting yes: Rehnelt, Knutson, Volkert, Naser,
Berquist. Motion carried. This resolution to be posted within 30
days.
REPORTS
1. Building Inspector/Permits—3 new home permits in December along
with a window replacement permit. Gary Knutson requests that the
county assessment proposal be on the February agenda. The year-end
building permits were also presented.
2. Animal Control—10 dog calls with 1 pick up.
3. Planning Commission—The last meeting was Jan. 5, 2009. Ellen
Denzer was present, along with 5 commission members. Tom highlighted
some of Naser’s concerns, noting that some of them are overridden by
county ordinances. He also updated us on culverts; should plastic
ones be allowed, who is responsible if a culvert fails, we perhaps
should have longer culverts and end walls, rather than retaining
walls. There are some variances for farm driveways. The next meeting
is Feb. 1, 2010 and the comprehensive plan is proceeding on schedule,
being finished by the end of 2010.
4. GEN/Library—The next meeting is January 25 at 7 p.m. at Richmond
Town Hall. This will be posted referencing a possible quorum of
Richmond Town Board ;supervisors.
5. Ambulance—Next meeting is Feb. 4, 2010, and they continue to make
progress on their collections.
6. Fire—The new annual report is out.
7. Landfill—CRA has contract to monitor landfill and test wells at a
cost of $122,000.00.
8. Transportation—Richmond Township was awarded a TRIP award of.
$13,193.59 for the 168th Ave./140th St. Project. Richmond Township is
also in number 1 position for the TRIP D award, and we should have a
response by mid-March. There are still no bump signs on 140th St.
9. WTA—The quarterly meeting is January 29th, Thursday at Somerset
Town Hall at 7 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Impact Fee Ordinance—Hearing to be held at 6:10 p.m.on February 11,
2010. In a change to the impact fee as presented, it will state that
impact fee will be paid to the town clerk, not to the town hall.
2. Richmond Way/140th St.—The city engineer says that all of the
designs are about finished and bids should be let soon. There also
will be a meeting with the Powers family.
3. Townhall Renovation/Recucling Center Improvements—Todd went over
the final Haffner bill. Naser moved to pay $20,000.00 when Haffner
gets the prevailing wage rate reports, to approve the additional
charges, except the East wall light (depending on whether or not it
was included in the bid) with money to be paid from general fund. The
final payment would be upon completion of the job. This motion
seconded by Rehnelt and carried. Naser also moved to purchase 8 new
chairs to match the ones recently purchased, seconded by Rehnelt, and
carried. Any grant money received on this project would go first to
the park fund, from where the first $20,000.00 was taken. Volkert
moved to approve the Haffner bid to clean and paint exterior stucco on
lower 4 feet of town hall. Seconded by Naser and carried. The big
dumpster will be left outside for now. Comments were made on how nice
the grounds look now. We cannot take computers, but all other
appliances can come here. E-Cycles in Hudson takes computers.-
UPDATES
1. Donations—Tim Scott discussed the memo of Nov. 10, 2009 and what
the tounwhip will do for future donations. There are 3 statutes
addressing this: through village powers, through authorization at the
annual meeting, or through intergovernmental cooperation. Todd thinks
park fund money should be spent in Richmond Township. Randy then
wondered why we didn’t use park fund money for the renovation project.
No decision was made.
2. Energy Grant—The decision on grant will not be available until mid
February.
3. Co. Rd. A & 140th St. Properties—Dean Albert says that neither of
these properties can be given an occupancy permit, without the
necessary inspections.
4. Snowplow Hire—Brian Basel has been hired and will be paid $75.00
each time he plows, he will shovel the steps also, and plow whenever
there is 2 or more inches of snow.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. The March meeting will be held on Monday, March 15th at 6 p.m.,
rather than March 11.
2. Tom Jenkins will be at April meeting to go over our insurance
policy.
Knutson moved and Rehnelt seconded the motion to approve the bills as
presented. Motion carried.
Berquist moved to adjourn, seconded by Rehnelt. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted
Donna Preece, Clerk